Old Fashioned

The Old Fashioned is the original cocktail, defined in 1806 as the benchmark for mixed drinks. Made with bourbon or rye, sugar, Angostura bitters, and an orange peel, it demands precision: muddle the sugar with bitters, add ice, and stir for 30 seconds. This simplicity tests a bartender's skill more than any other drink, outperforming #4 Manhattan in balancing spirit and sweetness. Its revival, spurred by Don Draper on *Mad Men*, saw a 40% increase in U.S. sales by 2013, proving its timeless appeal. Master this, and you've mastered the foundation of cocktail craft.